Ashleigh Makes A Wish

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

This was probably the neatest place at GKTW. There were so many things in this one building so check out. First of all, it is decorated as an old fashioned castle and the Carousel is attached on the outside covered with a mushroom cover. There is even a moat with a lochness monster guarding things.

When you enter the Castle, you are greeted by a coat of armor. His name is Rusty!

To your right is a "game" room. They call it the Fe Fi Fo Fun room. It has a "control center" where you can put different animated characters on the screen and make them move with different buttons and switches. There is a television playing kids movies, and lots of toys for the little kids. The coolest thing to me was the giant peeking in through the ceiling!

The main room of the castle is where the stars of all the wish kids are. They are all over the ceiling and they have had to add banners to hold more stars. (I have already posted pics of this earlier). Ashleigh's star is on the first banner. This is where the king and queen thrones are. During the Christmas celebration, we met Mrs. Claus here.Just to the left of this big room is another play area. They have a few tables for coloring and drawing. My favorite is the wishing well. There is a bucket full of pennies. You can help yourself and throw some into the well. Sometimes, you hear nothing but the clink of the coins, but other times you hear the sound of breaking glass, or someone yelling or my favorite, someone burping! It was pretty silly. There is a wall with tons of drawers. You could open them. Some of them had toys inside and some of them made a noise.

They have a miagic pillow machine here also. Each child is given a coupon to make a magic pillow. The machine squeeks and rattles and blows bubbles as the child tries to "control" it. Then it spits out a special pillow just for the child. It is really cool!

This area also has a really cool magic mirror. "Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who's the fairest of them all?" Pull the lever, and suddenly your image is complete with a crown and royal cape!

In the back of the castle is a little activity room with a tunnel and slide called the Jolly Hollow. It is decorated like a forest, and has little peepholes where you can peep in and see a family of mice. You can hear crickets chirping and when you enter the tunnel, it sounds like bees are following you! There are lighted footprints that lead up to the slide. Our girls were a little big for this area, but Ashleigh did try out the slide once.

It was a really neat place, and every morning when we left our villa we could see the back of it, we were that close!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Do you know what this is? It's a trash can! There are several of these characters around the campus, and all of them say "I Love You" on them. I believe there is a slight suction to them to help the trash go in. We had to keep Ashleigh away, she kept putting her hand in there! (she thought it was funny).

Here is a park bench that looks like it was created by a child or children. I was not able to find out the history of it, but there are also several of these around the campus. It could be a child who has passed away, or it could be donated by kids for kids. One thing I have learned, everything on the campus has a "story", but you don't always figure out what it is.

This was a cool wall that we passed often on our walk to the many evening events at the theater. It is a mural, and it depicts many of our holidays. Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter, Valentine's Day, Independence Day, Hanukkah and Christmas. The use of the animals was cute.

We saw these personalized stones in many places along the walkway through the main campus. I asked Alex one day if he had heard anything about these stones, but he had not. I believe he found some information later on their website. This is another way they raise funds. You can purchase a brick for $200 and have an inscription put on it. I think it is a really neat idea, and we plan on doing this, probably next year.

The House of Hearts is the first place you see when you drive through the entrance and past the guard house. It is the administration building. You check-in, attend orientation, rent a movie, get a camera, relax in the tv room, or ask any question! They are open 24 hours a day, so you can always get help if you need it. They have their processes down, and everything runs really smoothly. This is where I would take my laptop to update this blog while we were there because they have a high speed internet connection here. The people working here were great and we really appreciate them!

Friday, July 25, 2008

Julie's Safari Theater is the main place for all the activites that happen on campus. Inside there are character meetings and pictures, Christmas pictures and presents, movies, the CandyLand party and games. Outside the theater is the main gathering place for more character meetings and parties. There is more space outside, but the theater is used in case of rain. We met many characters here, had the Princess and Pirates party and presentation and enjoyed face painting. The girls only ended up watching 1 movie here, we were too busy! They offer free refreshments anytime the theater is open including popcorn, icees, candy and sodas. Ashleigh could never pass up a trip to the refreshment counter!

When I first saw the theater inside, I wondered how they fit everyone because I am used to a regular theater filled to capacity. Surprisingly, we never really had problems finding space. When there were parties, the kids would alternate between inside and outside and the movie that the girls went to (Enchanted), there was only 1 other person in there. During the character meetings, they have a line up to the stage to meet characters, and then you leave. The do have a ramp available up to the stage, so kids in wheelchairs can always meet the characters. Outside the theater, designed into the ground, is a medallion that has a picture of a child and the phrase "Make Today Count for Our Children." (If you look at the first picture above, you can see some of it on the ground in front of the theater). There is a design around the medallion that looks like sunshine rays. I didn't notice at first, but there are tiny "spots" in the rays and at night they light up. It looks like little stars and is really a beautiful sight as you walk around.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

The last theme parks we made it to were Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. Because of all the 3D and strobing and flashing lights, we did not spend a lot of time at Universal Studios. Ashleigh enjoyed Islands of Adventure though, and we were able to ride a lot of rides there. We started out at Jurassic Park with the pterodactyl ride.

It was a lot of fun, you could see most of the park while you were flying around, but it was so short! Because the regular line was at least an hour wait, and we were able to get right on with our pass, we only rode 1 time. We didn't want to cause much more delay for the people who waited patiently. We found a great roller coaster, the unicorn ride, and the girls loved it. It was tame compared to the Kraken, but at least we all rode together this time!

Our favorite area was the Dr. Seuss section. Everything is Seuss-like, and the attention to detail was amazing. Street signs, rides, shops and decor all stuck to the theme. We rode everything in this land, and it was a lot of fun. After a quick jaunt to Universal Studios to see if we could ride one or two rides, we returned here for some funnel cake before we left for the day. Yum!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

This beautiful chapel was built for families to have a quiet place to come and meditate or pray. Unfortunately, there are no formal services here. It is a small circular room, with a ceiling made to look like the sky. It is surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows depicting Faith, Hope, Love and Peace (GKTW calls them the "four seasons"). I posted these 4 windows on the sidebar to the right. We didn't spend much time here, but we did come and look around during parents night out. The windows are just gorgeous, and there are several books for guests to write in. We found several prayers written by young people who had returned to GKTW. It was very touching!

Friday, July 18, 2008

When we first checked in at GKTW, they mentioned that we should not feed any animals that we saw roaming the campus. I was worried we might meet up with an alligator or such, but we never saw anything like that. The most prevalent animals were lizards (sorry mom, granny and susie!). They were skittering everywhere! The day we were leaving, as Alex took me around to take pictures of the different villas, I saw this little guy sitting on a fence. He didn't seem too concerned about me, and sat still while I photographed him. My camera was zoomed in, but I was still surprised at how close he let me get.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

While we were at Magic Kingdom, we checked out the Wish Lounge. They added this lounge for wish kids and their families when they come to magic kingdom. The girls found a huge stuffed chair and watched part of a movie. The lounge was decorated with many Disney touches, and provided a great place to cool down and relax.

Alex and I almost fell asleep while we were in there. We really appreciate Disney for creating this special retreat. I can imagine that there are many wish children who need this space and it is great that Disney took up some of their valuable space to help these kids enjoy their trip even more. Thanks Disney!

There was one more lounge we tried to visit, but we lost track of what day it was. Saturday we went over to Epcot to check out the Hewlett-Packard lounge at Mission Space. On our way, we remembered that it was Saturday, and realized that all the lounges were closed on the weekends. Alex sure was disappointed. He wanted to visit all the lounges, because once the trip was over, we would no longer have our special pass. I'm sure the HP lounge was awesome as well, and we appreciate the fact that we could have gone in during the week. Thank you Hewlett-Packard!

Ashleigh Worlow

Blog Archive

Mayor Clayton's Gazebo

This is a gazebo nestled in the villas and allows parents and kids a moment to relax. I love the details, especially the carrot columns!

Going for a ride!

Ashleigh enjoyed the free rides at several of the GKTW buildings. This one is outside the house of hearts.

CandyLand Fever

Alex and Ali are playing candyland in the foyer area of the theater. The refreshment counter is behind me. Alex wants to WIN!

Love

Faith

Hope

Peace

Special Privileges

It was fun to be a VIP for the week!

Ashleigh meets the Donald

Donald Duck that is! He really enjoyed messing with Ashleigh

Sweet Minnie Mouse!

Smothered with Love

A group hug from the crazy chipmunks, Chip and Dale

Pirate Shamu

The princess and pirate party at GKTW attracted some famous characters!

Princess Dolly the Dolphin

Shamu can't arrive without his princess!

Family time with Pluto!

Being Goofy!

Uncle Brady could make a great Goofy!

My little Ashleigh

Enjoying a moment in the garden trellis at the Claytons. (sorry about the crooked picture)

Cutie at the Claytons

Ali didn't really want a picture on this morning, but she let mom take this one.

My Sweet Family

They are just missing some chocolate sauce and whipped cream!

Windmill Villa

Influenced by Holland, perhaps?

We noticed that several different countries were represented by the designs on the villas.

Another Villa

This is another villa on the GKTW campus.

Ashleigh finds a friend

Ashleigh got to walk one of the assistance dogs.

Sweet Rubi!

She also had her own volunteer badge.

GKTW has gone to the dogs.

This beautiful pup is not a poodle!

Getting our bags

Our volunteer, Edd, helps us get our bags from the baggage claim so we can be on our way!

Carousel at the Castle of Miracles

The carousel sits under a mushroom surrounded by the moat.

Big Sister Rides again!

Ali enjoyed the carousel as much as Ashleigh.

Smile!

All of us enjoyed the carousel!

Squished by a bunny!

Miss Merry tried to stay in Ashleigh's bed, but she was too big.

A good night kiss

Miss Merry gives Ashleigh a good night kiss and turns out the light.

All the flags!

Ali really loves the fact that it showcases flags from other countries.

Hard at work

Ali helps Ashleigh put her name on her star.

Sending her star to the star fairy

Once you close the lid, an animated fairy comes on the screen and "takes" your star to put on the ceiling.

Castle of Miracles

Stars of the wish children on the ceiling

Ashleigh's Star

Ashleigh's star is on this banner, hung from the ceiling to hold more stars now that the ceiling is full.

The Gingerbread House

This is our dining hall for breakfast and dinner.

The truck room

In the back of the Gingerbread House is this room. It is designed like a giant cupcake (see the bite taken out of it). I didn't get a picture, but the outside looks just like a frosted cupcake.

Peppermint Candy Tables

27,000 Peppermints were used to create the tables in the Gingerbread House.

Bye Bye Villa

The Worlow Villa is now empty.

Ashleigh meets the Pilot

Alex stopped in with Ashleigh for a quick picture with our airline pilots before exiting the plane.

Home Sweet Home!

We are plum tuckered out!

Roller Coaster Ashleigh

The Unicorn Roller Coaster, we all enjoyed this one!

Who are you?

The girls met Libby Lou Who from Whoville! She is a "WhoLeader" (haha)

Ali spots a star on Hollywood Blvd

Charlotte

Assistance Dog Charlotte

Monorail Pilot

It was fun riding in the front of the monorail!

The Little Mermaid

The girls get a little time with Ariel!

Being Silly!

It is fun to be silly monkeys!

Cinderella's Castle

Classic Magic Kingdom!

Silly Monkey!

He really loved messing with the girls during his performance.

Lookout!

Ali's at the wheel!

Chip and Dale

Twirling with Chip and Dale at Magic Kingdom

Princess Ashleigh

Ashleigh after her princess makeover at GKTW.

Ms. Merry

Ashleigh is tucked into bed by the Mayor's wife, Merry.

Believe

Shamu and his wonderful show!

Kraken

The monster roller coaster

Christmas Parade

GKTW celebrates Christmas every Thursday

Texas Cowgirls

YeeHaw!

Heeeeere's Brucey!

Our "Leave a Legacy" photo

Off to get our luggage (John Lucas in the background?)

On the plane!

"We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy."

Our family wants to say a BIG thank you to the Make A Wish foundation and all their generous volunteers and donors. Each wish granted is personal for the wishing child based on the resources available and the wish granting office. Not every wish for Disney World will be exactly like Ashleigh's. However, we hope you enjoy Ashleigh's story.